Al-Baghdadia

What Al-Baghdadia does

Al-Baghdadia Media Group (مجموعة البغدادية الإعلامية) is a privately held Iraqi media organization founded on September 12, 2005, by Dr. Awn Hussein Al-Khashlok. The group operates Al-Baghdadia Satellite Channel (البغدادية الفضائية), its primary news and political analysis channel, and Al-Baghdadia 2 (البغدادية 2), a complementary entertainment and drama channel, both broadcast free-to-air via the Nilesat satellite system (frequency 10971 H, symbol rate 27500) to audiences across Iraq and the broader Arabic-speaking world. Its content portfolio also includes the digital platform albaghdadiatv.com with live streaming, dedicated iOS and Android mobile applications, and the legacy Al-Furat Newspaper (جريدة الفرات), one of the first independent Iraqi newspapers launched after 2003.

The group operates a horizontally segmented media business serving Iraqi citizens and the Arabic-speaking diaspora with news, political talk shows, documentaries, anti-corruption investigations, sports, and entertainment programming. Distribution is multi-channel, leveraging satellite broadcasting on Nilesat, the official website with live streaming, mobile applications, and social media. The company is headquartered in Baghdad, Iraq, with a general office in London, United Kingdom supporting international broadcast capabilities and diaspora audience engagement. Underlying technology is conventional satellite broadcasting infrastructure paired with a WordPress-based digital content delivery platform and standard mobile app stacks, with no disclosed proprietary technology, AI capabilities, or developer APIs.

Al-Baghdadia generates revenue primarily through advertising and sponsorships tied to its news, talk show, and entertainment programming, with no subscription fees or paywalls. The network's programming philosophy emphasizes an independent editorial stance unaffiliated with any political party or bloc, anti-corruption reporting with documented evidence, and government performance monitoring, which distinguishes it from politically aligned Iraqi outlets. The company has experienced operational disruptions, including a 2021 broadcast suspension and staff detentions, reflecting the political risks of independent investigative media in the Iraqi market. Headcount is reported at 251-500 employees, the company is wholly owned by its founder, and no institutional investment, private equity involvement, or public shareholding is disclosed.

Name

Al-Baghdadia

Legal name

مجموعة البغدادية الإعلامية

Website

https://albaghdadiatv.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Al-Baghdadia is an Iraqi media group operating two Nilesat satellite channels, a streaming website, and mobile apps. It serves Iraqi citizens and Arabic-speaking diaspora with news, political analysis, anti-corruption reporting, sports, and entertainment, funded by advertising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Television Broadcasting

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

International TV Broadcasters (Free-to-Air/Satellite/Cable) (MPABAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

International News & Current Affairs Broadcasters (MPABAEAD), Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG)

Keywords

• Satellite television broadcasting
• News media production
• Political journalism
• Investigative reporting
• Digital news platform

Headquarters

HQ city

6 October City

HQ country

Egypt

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Al-Baghdadia generates revenue primarily through advertising and sponsorship of its news and talk show programming. The network attracts viewership through its independent editorial stance covering Iraqi politics, corruption investigations, and government monitoring.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Al-Baghdadia is a multi-platform Iraqi media organization that operates two satellite TV channels broadcasting news bulletins, political talk shows, documentaries, and investigative journalism focused on Iraqi politics and government corruption. It distributes content freely via satellite (Nilesat), an official website with live streaming and on-demand content, and a mobile application, reaching Iraqi citizens and the broader Arabic-speaking diaspora.

Product overview

Al-Baghdadia Media Group is a multi-platform Iraqi media organization comprising two satellite TV channels (Al-Baghdadia and Al-Baghdadia 2), a digital website with live streaming capabilities, a mobile application, and a legacy newspaper (Al-Furat). The flagship Al-Baghdadia satellite channel focuses on news, political analysis, and investigative journalism, while Al-Baghdadia 2 complements it with drama and entertainment programming. The digital platform at albaghdadiatv.com serves as a content hub for live broadcasts, on-demand videos, articles, and opinion columns. Notable programs include the political talk show Studio Al-Tasi (ستوديو التاسعة), the street-based interactive program Al-Baghdadia Wal Nas (البغدادية والناس), and Qadiyat Ra'y Aam (قضية رأي عام). The group also engages in human rights advocacy and anti-corruption reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• البغدادية 1 (Al-Baghdadia 1): Primary satellite TV channel of the group, featuring news, political analysis, and talk shows.
• البغدادية 2 (Albaghdadia 2)

Products and services

• Al-Baghdadia Satellite Channel (البغدادية الفضائية) The primary satellite TV channel of the group, broadcasting news, political analysis, talk shows, documentaries, and entertainment content covering Iraq and the wider region. Operates as a free media outlet with a focus on monitoring government performance and combating corruption.
• Al-Baghdadia 2 (البغدادية 2)

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rudaw Media Network: Kurdish/Iraq-focused satellite news network broadcasting in Kurdish and Arabic with a strong digital presence. Closely comparable in being an Iraq-focused multi-language news broadcaster combining satellite and digital distribution.
• Al Mayadeen: Beirut-based Arabic satellite news channel with strong coverage of Iraqi political affairs. Comparable in political/editorial positioning, Arabic-language satellite news format, and digital distribution, competing for the same politically engaged Arab audience.
• Al Iraqia: Iraq's state-owned public broadcaster operating multiple terrestrial and satellite channels. Comparable in serving Iraqi audiences across news and entertainment via broadcast, though Al-Baghdadia operates as an independent counterpoint rather than state media.
• Al Sharqiya: Iraq-focused satellite news and entertainment broadcaster. Directly comparable to Al-Baghdadia in target geography, free-to-air satellite distribution, and mixed news/entertainment programming targeting Iraqi Arabic-speaking audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Sky News Arabia: Abu Dhabi-based pan-Arab satellite news channel with a digital platform. Comparable as an Arabic 24/7 news broadcaster covering Iraq via satellite and online, with significantly deeper production and digital capabilities.
• Al Jazeera Network: Qatari-funded pan-Arab satellite news network covering Iraq and the wider Arab world. Comparable as a satellite-distributed Arabic news broadcaster, but operates at a vastly larger scale and broader geographic remit than Al-Baghdadia.
• Al Arabiya: Pan-Arab satellite news channel covering Iraqi and regional affairs. Comparable distribution model (free-to-air satellite + digital) and Arabic-language news positioning, with substantially greater resources and pan-regional reach.
• France 24 Arabic: French state-funded international broadcaster operating an Arabic-language news channel covering the Middle East including Iraq. Comparable as a satellite and digital Arabic news provider, with stronger resources but narrower Iraqi-specific depth.
• beIN Media Group: Qatari-owned pan-Arab satellite broadcaster covering news and entertainment. Comparable in Arabic-language satellite distribution to MENA audiences, though primarily entertainment- and sports-led rather than a news competitor.

Others

• Nilesat: Egypt-based operator of the Nilesat satellite fleet, which is Al-Baghdadia's primary distribution platform. Relevant as the infrastructure enabler for the channel's pan-Arab reach rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/baghdadiyagroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/Albaghdadiyanews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/baghdadia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Al-Baghdadia